SFC 2016: SF Wrap vs South Fremantle

Subiaco are heading to their third consecutive WAFL Grand Final with a massive 40 point win over South Fremantle in the 2nd Semi-Final at Medibank Stadium.

The two sides have been the front-runners all year but Subiaco looked a class above when it mattered to record a 14.12 (96) to 9.2 (56) win.

Excitement machine Liam Ryan was instrumental in the win booting four goals. Clancy Wheeler continued his finals standard with three goals and Bradley Stevenson kicked two.

Leigh Kitchin was enigmatic in the midfield with 35 touches and smooth decision making under pressure. Captain Kyal Horsley had 22, Adam Cockie 16 and Chris Phelan 25.

Key defender Declan Jackson did an impressive job on Mason Shaw and Aaron Heal and Chris Bryan were well disciplined. Jordan Lockyer continues to be a rock down back with the assistance of veteran Greg Broughton.

2014-15 Premiership player Lachlan Delahunty returned to the line-up and wasted no time in making an impact. Delahunty absorbed a majority of the hit-outs and collected 25 disposals.

Liam Ryan flies for a grab Photo: Michael Flood

The game started with ferocious defensive pressure and this restricted either side from scoring until the 10th minute mark. South’s had the first with a Blaine Johnson long-bomb but the Lions had the immediate response through Clancy Wheeler. Subi took a brief lead when vice-captain Leigh Kitchin steered a snap home but the Bulldogs continued to frustrate Subiaco. The Bulldogs led by three points at quarter time.

Subi worked hard and got the first goal of the second through 150 gamer; Wayde Twomey. The Lions couldn’t get away from South Fremantle though as Johnson added his second and Bernie Naylor Medallist Ben Saunders started to get involved. It seemed like Subiaco was losing momentum until another crucial goal came from Wheeler. A goal from Liam Ryan after the half-time siren was a monumental moment in the game and had Subiaco up by 13 at half time.

South Fremantle started well in the third and caught Subi asleep on a counter-attack. The ball found its way to Ben Saunders who kicked his second to make the difference five points. The Lions looked a little flustered until the ball got into the hands of captain Kyal Horsley. Horsley dashed into the 50 and spotted up Brad Stevenson with a perfect pass in front of goals. Stevenson was hit late and was given a 50-metre penalty to put the Lions up by 11. Liam Ryan then kicked two goals in two minutes as Subi asserted their dominance. Rhys Waters was gifted his first goal of the game thanks to some clever play from Adam Cockie and Kyal Horsley added to the scoreboard after an errant throw from the South Fremantle defence. The Lions completely blew the game out of the water when Brett Robinson burnt two Dogs defenders to cruise into an open goal. Subi by 43 at three quarter time.

When Ryan sped into an open goal at the start of the last it was looking ugly for the Bulldogs. The lead pushed beyond 50 points with the help of scores from Wheeler and Stevenson as the Lions booked a date with their third consecutive WAFL Grand Final.

TALKING POINTS

THE GAME WAS OVER WHEN

Subiaco live wire Liam Ryan athletically intercepted Josh Pullman's pass, burnt his South opponent with speed and cruised into an open goal for the first of the last. This stamped out any hope the ‘Dogs had of coming back.

TWOMEY HITS 150

A defensive stalwart for the Lions played his 150th game with Wayde Twomey reaching the milestone in the 2nd Semi-Final vs South Fremantle. Twomey is originally from Victoria and found his way West in 2008. Twomey played 98 games for Swan Districts before moving to Subiaco at the start of 2014. Twomey has rarely missed since the move and has accrued 52 games, a WA state appearance and two WAFL Premierships.

THE FINALS EQUATION

The Lions have now achieved the incredible feat of making three consecutive WAFL Grand Finals for the second time in the decade. If the Lions win in WAFL Grand Final 132 they can equal the effort during the “Glory Years” and stand as the only WAFL club to record multiple three-peats in a ten-year timeframe. South Fremantle are now set to play an AFL bolstered Peel who comfortable took care of West Perth in the Preliminary Final.

QBE MAN OF THE MATCH

The QBE Man of the Match for Subi's big win over South Fremantle goes to Leigh Kitchin who dominated the clearances to collect 35 disposals, four inside 50's and a goal. Congratulations to Darren Steven who wins a signed Subi guernsey voting for Kitch as the QBE Man of the Match.